Summit Avenue is the grandest street in Saint Paul and one of the longest continuous stretches of Victorian-era residential architecture in the United States. It runs along a bluff above the Mississippi, lined with the mansions of railroad, lumber and flour fortunes, and it ends at the great dome of the Cathedral of Saint Paul. This private two-hour walking tour leads you along part of it with a guide, so you hear about who built the houses, why they chose these designs and how the street survived while so many comparable avenues elsewhere were redeveloped. The tour is private, meaning only your own party takes part, which allows the guide to adjust the pace, the stories and the level of detail to what interests you: architecture, local history, literary connections or simply a beautiful walk. It holds a rating of 5.0 from 19 travellers, a small but consistent sample. It suits history and architecture lovers, couples, small families and anyone who wants to see Saint Paul at its most elegant and prefers a conversation to a group commentary. Because the tour is private, the price covers your party rather than a single seat, so it works well for groups who can share the cost.
Context
Summit Avenue is famous for the James J. Hill House, the enormous stone mansion built for the railroad magnate who ran the Great Northern Railway, now a historic site open to visitors. The avenue is also associated with F. Scott Fitzgerald, who lived in Saint Paul as a young man, and with the Minnesota Governor’s Residence. Walking tours often weave these threads together, along with architectural styles that range from Romanesque and Queen Anne to Tudor revival.
The details of which houses you stop at depend on the guide, so ask in advance if there is a house or author you especially want to include. Most of the houses are private homes, so you view them from the pavement, and the tour respects residents’ privacy.
Practical details
The tour is two hours long, on foot, in Saint Paul, and is booked as a private experience, so you choose a date and time that suit your group. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather, because the walk is outdoors and Minnesota winters are serious; the avenue itself is elegant in snow, but cold-weather walking requires proper layers.
The tour starts at a meeting point confirmed at booking, so check it, and allow time to reach Saint Paul from Minneapolis, which is normally a short drive or a light-rail and bus journey. Cancellation and change terms are shown at checkout, so read them before you pay.
Making the most of it
Combine the walk with the Cathedral of Saint Paul at the eastern end, or with the State Capitol and the Wabasha Street Caves for a full Saint Paul day. Lunch and coffee are easy to find in the neighbourhoods around the avenue, and the Saint Paul Hotel is a comfortable base for a visit.
If you are short on time, the tour gives you the best of the street in two hours without a car, and the private format means you can ask as many questions as you like. Photographers will enjoy the early light on the mansions, and a clear winter morning is particularly rewarding.
What to expect
The experience
A private two-hour walking tour along Summit Avenue in Saint Paul with a guide, viewing Victorian mansions from the pavement.
Best time
A clear morning for soft light, including a crisp winter morning if you are dressed for it.
How long
Two hours on foot.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes and warm layers, confirm the meeting point at booking and ask for any house or author you want included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture and history fans, and small groups who prefer a private guide.
- Families
- Suits older children and teenagers who enjoy stories; two hours of walking is long for young ones.
- Couples
- An elegant, unhurried walk, especially on a clear winter morning or in autumn colour.
- Pair with
- The Cathedral of Saint Paul, the State Capitol and the Wabasha Street Caves.
- Time needed
- Two hours plus travel to Saint Paul.
Good questions
What is Summit Avenue?+
A long residential avenue in Saint Paul lined with Victorian-era mansions, running along a bluff above the Mississippi and ending near the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Is the tour private?+
Yes. It is booked as a private experience, so only your own party takes part.
Can I go inside the houses?+
Most are private homes and are viewed from the pavement. The James J. Hill House is a historic site with its own visiting arrangements.
How long is the tour?+
Two hours on foot.
What should I wear?+
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate layers, as the whole tour is outdoors.
